How Canadian and U.S. Credit Cards Stack Up

Your Canadian credit card might save you in Canada. But once you leave, it’ll cost you.

See why it’s better to leave your Canadian credit card behind when you leave the country.

Apply for a cross-border banking bundle to get a no annual fee²⁰ Visa^‡ Signature Black credit card and we’ll waive the annual fee on your Direct Checking account for the first year.²⁹ Offer ends October 31, 2026.

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Visa^‡ Signature Black

Visa^‡ Signature Black Plus

Comparing Cards Table
	Visa^‡ Signature Black	Visa^‡ Signature Black Plus	Most rewards-based travel cards (not U.S. dollar)	Typical U.S. dollar-based credit cards (Canada)

Ideal for	Regular U.S. travelers or residents looking for an easy way to make U.S. purchases, earn rewards points and avoid foreign transaction fees.	Frequent international travelers who don’t want to pay foreign transaction fees anywhere in the world.	Canadians who typically don’t travel to the U.S. They are focused on earning rewards points for Canadian or overseas travel.	Occasional travelers to the U.S. who sometimes use a credit card for U.S. purchases and want to avoid the cost of foreign exchange.

Rewards points⁶	1 point per $1 spent	1.5 points per $1 spent	1– 2 points per $1 spent	1 point per $1 spent
Cash back rate²⁴	1%	1.25%	Not available	Not available
Pool points with friends and family	Yes	Yes	No	No
Annual summary statement	Yes	Yes	No	No
Visa Signature perks	Yes	Yes	No, but may have access to Visa Infinite benefits	No

Annual fee²⁰	$0	$75 USD	$120 – $150 CAD	$35 – $65 USD
Additional card fee	$0	$0	$30 – $50 CAD	$0 – $30 USD
Foreign transaction fee¹⁹	None for U.S. purchases	None for purchases globally	2.5% – 3% for U.S. purchases³⁶	None for U.S. purchases
⁹
Transfer points across the border⁷	Yes	Yes	No	No
24/7 concierge service	Yes	Yes	Sometimes available	No
Travel and emergency assistance²³	Yes	Yes	Sometimes available	Sometimes available
Roadside assistance	Yes	Yes	Sometimes available	Sometimes available
Trip cancellation or interruption	Up to $5,000	Up to $5,000	Sometimes available $500 — $2,500	Sometimes available $2,500 — $5,000
Travel accident	$500,000	$500,000	Typically $500,000	Typically $500,000
Lost luggage reimbursement	Up to $3,000	Up to $3,000	Sometimes available	Sometimes available
Auto rental collision damage waiver	Yes	Yes	Sometimes available	Sometimes available
Cellphone protection	Up to $200	Up to $200	No	No
Warranty manager service	Yes	Yes	No	No
Extended warranty protection	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Purchase security	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes

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How Canadian and U.S. Credit Cards Stack Up

Your Canadian credit card might save you in Canada. But once you leave, it’ll cost you.